Chapter 47: One Morning Returning to the Origin

  Hong Jun merged with the Tao, shocking heaven and earth. All living beings knelt down to pay their respects. Hong Jun was the first to attain the Tao, using his creative powers to complete the Jade Certificate of the Supreme Mysterious Origin. Later, he comprehended the Heavenly Tao and had an epiphany about the great benevolence and great malevolence of heaven and earth. Ultimately, he merged with the Heavenly Tao, achieving the supreme law.

  After the creation of heaven and earth, the primordial chaos was born, and people were ignorant and unable to comprehend. The Heavenly Way was both invisible and inaccessible to them. Except for Zhou Cheng, who was born early in the chaotic era and obtained the "Chaos Chapter" through a combination of luck and circumstance, everyone else relied on their instincts to cultivate themselves, sitting in meditation every day, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, and accumulating their strength bit by bit. It wasn't until Hong Jun achieved enlightenment and opened the Zi Xuan Palace that he provided people with a path to achieving enlightenment. For millions of years, the gods of the primordial chaos listened to Hong Jun's teachings at the Zi Xuan Palace, gradually coming to understand their own cultivation methods.

  In Hongjun's eyes, there is no distinction between great gods and ordinary people. Therefore, in the previous sermon, he achieved success for many people, and this time, by combining the Tao, his blessings extend to all living things. Hongjun has personal feelings, but also has no personal feelings.

  Hongjun's work for heaven and earth is extremely good and great. This time, the Taoist way is combined, don't mention demons and ghosts, those who cultivate the true Tao, all kneel down to worship, calling out "Teacher, sacred kindness".

  Zhou Cheng returned to Qingqiu Mountain and went straight into Xieyuxuan. He comprehended the gains from his trip to Zixiao Palace.

  Bamboo has been feeling a bit down lately, although every day there is that little white cloud accompanying him, but the white cloud is after all just a child, apart from playing and laughing, can't say much, and in the end it's quite boring.

  She would go to see Kong Xuan after her daily cultivation, but Kong Xuan was always too busy, constantly closing himself off to cultivate the five-colored divine light behind him. He would often close himself off for dozens of years at a time, which made Zhu Yu feel very unhappy. When she gave Kong Xuan advice, he said that he didn't want to be bullied by others like in the past, and that only by becoming stronger could he protect himself and his fellow disciples. He always mentioned Master Zhou Cheng with a look of admiration, using this to advise Zhu Yu that Master should be everyone's cultivation goal, and that having the opportunity to hear Master's great dao was a waste if they didn't cultivate diligently. Every time, it would get Zhu Yu all excited and upset.

  Under the great touch of the mushroom head, Kong Xuan didn't care at all, just smiled. In his opinion, his own thoughts were for the good of Zhu Yu, and since his master sister couldn't listen to him, he had no way out. He hoped that Master would change the bad habit of not liking to cultivate in Qingqiu Mountain people in the future.

  Kong Xuan, after all, had witnessed the cruel struggles of Hong Huang for a long time, unlike several senior brothers and sisters from Qingqiu Mountain. Even the Bai Meng couple had worn out their fighting spirit in the long years of peace and stability, only knowing how to live in comfort and not thinking about danger. If this situation continues for a long time, it's likely to be very bad. The master has always placed the entire Qingqiu Mountain under his wing, but I don't know what he thinks. The master's thoughts are hard to guess, but what he can do is very clear, that is to cultivate well, and in the future, fight for survival, take care of a few people, and repay the master. Although I entered the sect relatively late, my cultivation cannot be lower than others, so I must work hard to cultivate, repay the master, and not waste myself. This is Kong Xuan's thought.

  It was another afternoon with the sun slanting westward and colorful clouds filling the sky. Zhuyu went to visit Kong Xuan, but found his thatched cottage tightly locked, knowing he was still in seclusion. Feeling a bit frustrated, he thought of finding somewhere else to clear his mind. He slowly strolled to Qingping Lake. Kong Xuan, his junior fellow apprentice, had been diligently practicing day and night, not even bothering to pay attention to himself. Despite this, Zhuyu grew more and more fond of his junior fellow apprentice, yet with a growing sense of frustration in his heart. Some things in the world are too mysterious, and emotions are one of them. Without any reason, when the time comes, it naturally happens.

  She also knew that this fondness was different from her fondness for Shi Zhong and others, strange and inexplicable, just like what the teacher said. She insisted on saving Kong Xuan, knelt down to beg the teacher to accept him, and although she felt sorry for the teacher in her heart, she did not regret it. She thought Kong Xuan was worth doing so. For this younger brother, her care was meticulous. At first, she guided Kong Xuan through the parts of the Hunyuan chapter that he didn't understand, but as his cultivation deepened, she often went to take care of his daily life. However, Kong Xuan seemed to be completely unaware, only knowing how to cultivate bitterly and not knowing anything else.

  The scenery of Qingping Lake is beautiful, with mountains and water reflecting each other. All kinds of landscapes are present. A gentle breeze comes, and the surface of the lake ripples slightly, waves rise, and slowly spread out, finally crashing against the cliff wall, producing a clear sound that scatters in all directions. From afar, among the waves, fish scales shine with light, many with great wisdom and open minds, floating on the water's surface, breathing and practicing the art of refining their bodies and transforming their forms. Occasionally, the dragon from the East Sea, Jinli Long, practices his magic, swallowing clouds and fog, summoning wind and rain, yet stirring up waves a hundred feet high, like ten thousand horses galloping, crashing against the lake's cliff rocks with a deafening roar. The cliff rocks have many cracks, but under the powerful impact, they produce a series of bell-like sounds.

  Bamboo Language arrived at the usual place, Lantai Pavilion, which was a cliff protruding into mid-air. The surroundings were open and expansive, facing the calm and peaceful lake. At this moment, it was the time when the sun set behind the distant mountains, and a slanting sun slowly fell below the horizon. Several birds flew back and forth at the meeting point of the water and sky, occasionally making a series of bird calls that came from afar, melodious and moving. Bamboo Language supported her cheeks with her hands, quietly watching, feeling that those series of bird calls were like Brother Kong Xuan calling out to her: "Bamboo Language sister, Bamboo Language sister..."

  The night was falling, and the moon had come out. Immersed in infinite daydreams, Zhuyu vaguely felt that something was wrong, and the faint voice calling her seemed not to be a bird's illusion, but a real human voice. She got up doubtfully, following the sound to see who was calling her.

  The bamboo forest turned over a large rock formation and suddenly appeared in front of a lake plain. This place is very secluded, if not for the rock wall, it would be hard to notice.

  Looking at the figure under the hazy moonlight, she finally knew who was calling her.

  On the edge of Linhu Pingba, Shi Zhong sat on the ground with his hands slightly raised, holding a jade stone carving. His eyes were fixed on the carving without blinking. The carving was vivid and lifelike, and upon closer inspection, it was an image of Zhu Yu. Shi Zhong said to himself, "Zhu Yu, my sister, we lived next door to each other at the summit of Kunlun Mountain back then. After transforming into our true forms, we spent every day together. Do you know that I have been thinking about you day and night? Although we often see each other, I always want to be with you every moment."

  Zhu Yu's mouth was agape as he stared at Shi Zhong in utter incredulity, listening quietly to what he had to say.

  "But now, I can't even stay with you for a long time. Why is it that in your eyes, there's only Kong Xuan?" Shi Zhong seemed to be somewhat heartbroken, let out a light sigh, and continued, "Kong Xuan, as a person, is straightforward and has a proud air, but ultimately doesn't lose his good qualities. You have feelings for him, how could I not know? Seeing you become more and more haggard, while he...I couldn't bear it..." Shi Zhong said, and suddenly choked with sobs, "Zhu Yu Shifu, I know you have feelings for Kong Xuan. But have you ever known that my love for you is even deeper?" Shi Zhong hugged the jade stone statue, looked up towards the distance, and no longer spoke, only softly reciting a line of poetry:

  The moon's reflection is flat on the lake, tears lean against the window, the green hills are shrouded in mist and rain, rising to the heavens. Originally a rootless duckweed thing, how can bamboo words be used as a vertical child's makeup?

  Bamboo words one listen, suddenly anxious, rushed to the back of Shi Zhong, said displeased: "Shi Zhong Shidi, you clearly know that I admire Kong Xuan Shidi deeply, why do you still do such a thing." After finishing, he snatched the jade stone carving and threw it into the lake without regard for Shi Zhong's frightened and panicked face.

  "Sister Shi, I...I...I..." Shi Zhong was startled by the sudden outburst from Zhu Yu and felt a pang of guilt, unable to do anything but watch as Zhu Yu threw away the sculpture.

  "Hmph, don't think you can secretly do this again. I, I still like Kong Xuan after all." Zhu Yu didn't want to hurt Shi Zhong too much, but thinking that if Kong Xuan found out about this matter, it wouldn't be good, so he gritted his teeth and said.

  Zhu Yu turned her head and was about to leave, Shi Zhong hastily reached out to grab her arm, wanting her to listen to his explanation.

  Crack! A crisp sound, palm and face in close contact, a loud noise was emitted. Zhū Yǔ saw Shí Zhōng coming to pull himself, in a state of urgency, he slapped Shí Zhōng with a loud slap. Both were stunned, Shí Zhōng covered his cheek, staring blankly at Zhū Yǔ, as if disbelieving. "Shí Zhōng shī dì, I...I..." Zhū Yǔ was deeply regretful at this time, and lost his footing.

  "Hum, how dare you!" A loud shout came over.

  Bamboo and Stone were startled by the sound, knowing that Zhou Cheng had arrived. They suddenly became frantic and didn't dare to move. The originally clear night sky was instantly obscured by dark clouds, with thunderclaps and flashes of lightning. In an instant, a torrential downpour came down, as if the saint was angry and the heavens were transformed.

  Zhou Cheng appeared in front of the two, his face filled with rage as he glared at Zhu Yu, his complexion purpling like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

  "Master, no, it's not about Shifu," Shi Zhong had never seen his master so furious before, and was momentarily stunned. Coming to his senses, he immediately kowtowed and knocked his head repeatedly, pleading on behalf of Zhu Yu.

  "Teacher, I...I..." Zhu Yu was also frightened and could only kneel down, constantly knocking his head.

  "Bamboo words, do you know your sin?" Zhou Cheng slightly calmed down and said.

  "Disciple, I don't know!" Zhu Yu Cheng hastily replied with a frightened expression. She wasn't being evasive, to be honest, she really hadn't realized what was wrong with herself.

  "Good, good, very good!" Zhou Cheng laughed furiously and said with a big laugh: "Haha haha haha, what is love, what is love!!!"

  As soon as Shi Zhong saw his teacher like this, he knew that something was wrong and knocked his head even faster, saying in his mouth: "Teacher, it's the disciple's fault, the disciple's fault..."

  Zhou Cheng laughed loudly and then stopped, his face calm as he gazed at Zhu Yu. "Since you don't know," he said, "I'll let you think carefully about whether you're in the wrong or not." As soon as he finished speaking, he pointed at Zhu Yu, who instantly returned to her original form - a stalk of green bamboo standing in a crack in the rock at the edge of the cliff. The rain pounded against her and the wind blew through her, causing her branches to sway and her leaves to quiver.

  Shi Zhong saw the teacher's great anger, and unexpectedly sealed off his sister's cultivation, transforming into a bamboo book itself. He was suddenly frightened, knelt down and crawled to Zhou Cheng's feet, grabbed Zhou Cheng's pants legs, and cried out loudly: "Teacher have mercy, spare my sister! Teacher have mercy..."

  Zhou Chengyi kicked his leg and said, "Rebellious son, rebellious son, with such a weak personality, how can you achieve great things in the future? The key to love is to be relaxed and moderate, not humble or arrogant. With this kind of pitiful appearance, you will only invite ridicule!" He didn't say anything else, turned around and stepped back to Xie Yu Xuan's place.

  "Emotion is a journey, the key is to be moderate and not extreme. Being moderate and not extreme..." Shi Zhong gently stroked the emerald bamboo transformed from the Bamboo of Words, murmuring his teacher's words to himself.

  I recommend Zhuo Yiting's "Moon Full of West Building", although it's a cover, it feels great.

  Two good books from friends:

  Horizontal Plane [Void Condensed Sword Line]

  Guo Xiao Mo [The Great Sage of the West: Wukong]

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